Obituary of Michael J. Hopkins

Michael J. Hopkins died on July 1, 2024, in his sleep after a long, satisfying, recovering, CWA Strong, and happy life.

Mike was most proud of his family, of being a Friend of Bill W. for 45 years, and being a member of the New Jersey State Worker Organizing Committee – SWOC – the committee that in 1981 organized 35,000 New Jersey State Workers into the Communications Workers of America – CWA.

Mike became the President of CWA Local 1037, where he fought the boss, met & married Hetty Rosenstein, with whom he had a love affair for 4 decades. 

In addition to his wife Hetty, he leaves his sons Kevin Hopkins, Timothy Hopkins, and James Rosenstein-Hopkins, as well as daughters-in-laws Donna Tracy Hopkins and Anne Marie Hopkins, niece Karen Zincgraf, and nephew Erick Kurz. Mike took tremendous pride in his family and especially in his grandchild, Brandon Hopkins.  He embraced as his own, Hetty’s fierce family of sisters, brother, in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and especially his gifted mother-in-law Miriam, whom he loved dearly and with whom he shared mysteries, and trips to Costco.

Mike was heart and soul a working man, who never forgot where he came from and was loving, generous and loyal to his friends, family, union and to anyone in need.  He was also fearless and gave courage to all around him. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in his memory to the Orphan Sponsorship International, at the webpage www.MyOSI.org, or by check  to OSI c/o Nick Tummillo, 2 Devon Court, Robbinsville NJ 08691,  or give anonymously to Alcoholics Anonymous, General Service Board, Post Office Box 2407, James A Farley Station, New York, NY 10116-2407. 

A memorial service will be held by Mike’s family, friends and Union, at a later date, and all who wish to celebrate Mike’s well-live life, will be welcomed to join in our remembrance.